Chapter 327

The car was quiet, Xia Xi's reply wasn't soft; normally there should be no trouble hearing it, but Xu Yanfeng felt as if his ears were stuffed with cotton, his hearing affected.

"What did you just say?" Xu Yanfeng asked, distracted, looking at her.

Xia Xi reminded him to watch the road, the child was still in the car, pay attention to traffic safety.

Xu Yanfeng turned his gaze to the road ahead, but still said: "What did you just say?"

Xia Xi laughed: "Did you really not hear me, or is it hard to believe?"

Xu Yanfeng admitted frankly: "Hard to believe."

Xia Xi's eyes were full of smiles, as he wished, she said again: "I said yes, it's fine, I agreed. Take some time to meet your family; my family have all met you, and they're very pleased with you."

His fingers on the steering wheel loosened and tightened repeatedly; Xu Yanfeng was so excited he couldn't drive. He regretted it, wishing he hadn't given the driver the day off.

"What day is today?" Xu Yanfeng muttered to himself, "Oh, Monday. How about this Saturday?"

Xia Xi: "……"

Seeing how anxious he was, Xia Xi rested her elbow on the car window edge, propping her chin to look outside; a flash of headlights swept across her face, lighting her beautiful eyes and upturned mouth corners.

Xu Yanfeng was still waiting for her answer: "Is this Saturday okay? If so, I'll let Ms. Zhong know."

Xia Xi: "I'm not sure yet. Originally Li Tai's project would have kept me busy for a while, but she's now busy with her divorce lawsuit against her husband, so the project is on hold, and I've become free as well. The Jingyu Yuan project is progressing smoothly according to the construction schedule, and I don't need to worry much about it, so… I should have time."

Xu Yanfeng was about to suggest just setting it for this Saturday when Xia Xi suddenly thought of something and felt it inappropriate: "There's a meeting tomorrow morning; Lu Mingji gave advance notice that he'll discuss two important matters, so I can't be completely sure I'll be free on Saturday."

Xu Yanfeng thought to himself, "Steady, steady again—we've come this far."

He slowly exhaled: "Like this, after tomorrow's meeting ends, you tell me."

Xia Xi: "That works."

On the surface she seemed indifferent, but inside she was also torn; meeting Xu Yanfeng's parents would inevitably mean facing Xu Guanshan—Xu Yanfeng's marriage, Xu Guanshan couldn't possibly avoid showing up.

When the time comes…

No point overthinking; take it step by step.

She couldn't let go again, and Xu Yanfeng… she glanced at his profile; he had never thought of letting her go from start to finish. She ought to have more confidence.

The next morning, all the important personnel were in the meeting room.

This meeting should have been held yesterday, Monday, but because Xia Xi had something come up and didn't attend, Lu Mingji postponed it to today. Xia Xi felt he was overestimating her importance—whether she was there or not made no difference; just giving her a copy of the minutes would have sufficed.

By convention, they first did a work summary, with several people taking turns reporting.

Li Tai's project, as the focus, was presented by Xia Xi; the project's outcome still couldn't be concluded. Perhaps Li Tai won't obtain the property rights to the private estate?

Lu Mingji said a few sentences, finally bringing up one of the important matters: "The design director position has remained vacant, which is unfavorable for management; I intend to nominate someone to fill it—anyone with ideas can speak up."

Xia Xi had never been interested in management; she only liked to bury herself in drawing, and otherwise didn't want to think hard. So when Lu Mingji spoke, she lowered her head and doodled randomly on her notebook, like a student avoiding the teacher's questions in class.

The meeting room fell silent; Lu Mingji glanced around, looked at Xia Xi, who sat beside him, and tapped the table with his finger: "Xia Xi, do you have a suitable candidate?"

After all, she's a partner; she can't really be a hands-off manager.

Xia Xi raised her hand and pointed: "I think Gao Gong is quite suitable—she has sufficient ability, deep experience, heard she studied business, so she should have a leadership mind; the director position would be no problem for her."

Gao Ge was stunned; she had just caused the company a loss over Li Tai's matter—how could it possibly be her turn?

She spoke her mind: "Li Tai's mother, because of me……"

"It's just a small mistake; who can guarantee a career without errors?" Xia Xi knew what she was about to say, and one sentence silenced her.

Gao Ge didn't speak again, looked toward Lu Mingji, nervously gripping her pen, waiting for his final decision.

Lu Mingji rested the back of his hand on his chin, lowered his eyes in thought for two seconds, then decided: Gao Ge would serve as design director.

Applause broke out in the meeting room, mixed with a few "Congratulations" and "Remember to treat us to a meal."

Gao Ge curled her lips, genuinely happy; she loved this job, and advancing step by step was her pursuit. She looked at Xia Xi and said, "Thank you."

"The second matter—" Lu Mingji spoke, waiting for the meeting room to quiet, then continued, "To raise the company's profile and also for its future development, this… I think it's quite necessary."

It was rare to see Lu Mingji so hesitant; everyone was puzzled. Xia Xi voiced the question on everyone's mind: "What exactly is the matter, President Lu? Just say it straight—lunchtime is approaching."

Lu Mingji: "……"

The attendees broke into low laughter.

Lu Mingji placed his hands crossed on the table edge: "A few days ago I met a friend who works as a director and producer on a video platform; they've launched a program—I can't recall its name—whose content invites designers to help people renovate their homes. This friend knew I had set up an interior design company, so he asked whether I'd recommend one of our designers for his show. I thought it over; it's a win-win collaboration, and I agreed on the spot."

Xia Xi: "A variety show?"

Lu Mingji nodded: "You see, if our company's designers take part and the show becomes popular, that's a great advertising opportunity—and it's free. This friend gave me a slot preferentially, or rather, out of our years of friendship; ordinary people couldn't get it."

Sounding like a good deal, Xia Xi had no objection: "Who are you planning to send?"

Lu Mingji stared at her without blinking; Xia Xi felt creeped out and narrowed her eyes. Lu Mingji coughed, not revealing his intention, and covered it up: "Isn't this what we're discussing? Anyone who wants to participate can volunteer, or raise any opinions."

Everyone looked at each other, wondering: join a variety show? Appear on TV?

It sounded glamorous, yet it was quite a test of mindset; some were eager to try, while others lacked confidence and hesitated to step forward.

Lu Mingji fixed his gaze on Xia Xi, his eyes hinting at something, but Xia Xi didn't take the bait; she turned her face aside, then suddenly saw someone raise a hand, she lifted her eyebrows and smiled: "President Lu, someone has volunteered."

Upon hearing that, Lu Mingji shifted his gaze—it was Gao Ge raising her hand.

Gao Ge said: "I'm not recommending myself; I think Xia Gong is quite suitable—after all, she's our company's public face, and appearing on the show would look good. Besides, everyone can see Xia Gong's abilities, right?"

Xia Xi: "???"

I just spoke up for you, and you turn around and "harm" me?

Xia Xi waved her hand: "No, I'm not, I can't. Pick someone else—I'm socially anxious."

Lu Mingji looked astonished, almost laughing: "You? Socially anxious?" Not to deny her face, but her comment was too funny: "If you call that social anxiety, what would the truly socially anxious be called? Autistic?"

Someone down below let out a "pfft," like a spark, and then others burst out laughing one after another.

Xia Xi: "……"

The meeting atmosphere was extremely relaxed, and everyone chimed in: "I also think Xia Gong is the only choice; viewers will see that our Broad and Elegant designer is not only pretty but also a top-university graduate with solid skills—maybe they'll all come looking to cooperate with us."

"Then it's settled. Xia Xi, it's you." Lu Mingji gave the final gavel again, then waved his hand broadly: "Meeting adjourned."

"What do you mean it's me? How is it me? I haven't agreed yet—can't you respect my wishes?" Xia Xi shouted at Lu Mingji, who was standing up to gather his things.

The others were all laughing, each cleaning up the things in front of them.

Xia Xi finally understood why the meeting had been postponed until today, insisting on her presence—Lu Mingji had dug a pit and was waiting for her to jump into it.